CHICAGO,
IL (December 2, 2008) – A new year means a
new beginning. And
this means many things in 2009; a new presidential leader,
a renewed sense of patriotism and the motivation to create
a new direction in our own lives. Giving us a new “cents” of
empowerment in our financial lives is Julie Murphy Casserly,
a Chicago-based entrepreneur and author of “The Emotion
Behind Money: Building Wealth from the Inside Out.”

In her book, Casserly reminds us that we all have the capability to plan wisely, work hard, save money and improve our quality of life. The problem? We just need help with the roadmap.

“What many don’t realize is that it’s not just about managing your money, it’s about understanding the emotions behind your money and where these attitudes come from,” said Casserly. “Ultimately, your relationship with money will affect how you earn, spend and save, or conversely, accumulate debt.”

As excerpted from her new book, Julie suggests the following tips for improving your relationship with money and creating your own path to financial success…in 2009 and beyond:

1) Examine your “Authentic Self”: Think about what motivates you to spend and save. Ask yourself if you are living a life that is consistent with your priorities, values and beliefs, or your neighbors. Trying to “keep up with the Jones’” puts you in financial situations that are over your head.

2) Manage Your Cash Flow: It has become second nature to increase our standard of living in proportion to our income. This is the year to evaluate your priorities and set them in motion so you are in the right relationship with your money flow.

3) Proactively Manage Your Debt and Interest Rates: When you have debt, this puts money in the center of your life, creating unnecessary stress and anxiety that ultimately derails you from your financial plan. Look for ways to pay off debt. For example, find fixed interest rates on your credit cards and make sure you’re paying the lowest interest rate possible. Visit www.creditcards.com to find the best credit card deals.

4) Understand Your Investment Options: Another common obstacle to getting on the right financial path is all of the options that are available to you: investments, savings, insurance, etc. Casserly finds it easier to categorize financial products according to your specific needs and break them down into specific needs and timelines. First, define your strategy, then develop a timeline and lastly, determine the proper investment options that suit you.

5) Diversify Your Assets: This is important especially during today's financial crisis. 91.5% of performance of an investment portfolio is based on how well you diversify your assets. One great way to diversify is to have investment holdings outside the stock and bond markets. Also always stay aligned with your investment tolerance level over the years...it changes! Keep an eye on your portfolio from an emotional standpoint or you may find that you’ve sold yourself — and your future — short.

6) Plan for Retirement: Even if you think you're on track with retirement planning, make sure you assume the proper long term inflation rate on your planning assumptions.

7) Identify Your “Crabs in a Bucket”: Don't let family members or friends hold you back in achieving your best financial future. Examine who is supporting you, who keeps tempting you to spend, and who pulls you back into the same old patterns of behavior. It’s time to manage these “crabs in a bucket” and focus on your own financial goals and priorities.

8) Seek The Pros: Not the best at handling financial planning? Calling a professional who understands your financial needs can help you stay on track throughout 2009 and beyond.

About Julie Murphy Casserly:
Julie Murphy Casserly, CLU, ChFC, CFP®, is a 14-year veteran of the financial services industry. She’s advised thousands of clients on all aspects of their wealth management including investment asset allocation and risk management, insurance needs, retirement planning, business planning, college planning, tax planning and estate planning. She considers understanding each client's personal life strategy, goals, and dreams to be the key that that enables her to create truly personalized financial plans.

A graduate of the University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign, Julie also earned an MBA from The University of Notre Dame.

About “The Emotion Behind Money: Building Wealth from the Inside Out” The Emotion Behind Money is the notion that we each have specific emotions, or emotional patterns, attached to money and these emotions impact every financial decision you face. It is designed to be helpful –some early readers have said "life-changing" –for people of all ages and financial status. It helps you move past preconceived notions about money and set new goals that will allow you to think positively about your finances and live the life you deserve and desire.